Child-resistant cover

ABSTRACT

Child-resistant covers for a lid are presented including: a planar surface; arcuate side surfaces disposed perpendicular to the planar surface, the arcuate side surfaces positioned equidistant from one another and creating gaps that provide fingertip access to the lid; and a number of locking tabs disposed along a lower edge of each of the arcuate side surfaces to capture the lid. In some embodiments, child-resistant covers further include: a number of tamper-evident seals disposed along the gaps.

BACKGROUND

Child-resistant lids are utilized to keep children out of containersthat may have harmful substances. Since the widespread use ofchild-resistant lids, accidental poisonings have reduced dramatically.While the effectiveness and use of child-resistant lids is well-know,there are no known solutions for converting a standard lid into achild-resistant lid. One problem in the industry is that there is littleuniformity in size and thread of lids so a universal child-resistant lidis not practical. Another problem is that the cost of changing over to achild-resistant lid may be overly burdensome and thus lack support amongmanufacturers. Still another issue is that child-resistant lids maylimit advertising space on a lid—an iconic logo, for example, may not beprintable in a child-resistant lid. Yet another problem is that inre-using a container, a user may wish to store dangerous materials in acontainer that has only a standard lid.

As such, child-resistant covers are presented herein.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of theinvention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention.This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is notintended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or todelineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to presentsome embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude tothe more detailed description that is presented below.

Child-resistant covers for a lid are presented including: a planarsurface; arcuate side surfaces disposed perpendicular to the planarsurface, the arcuate side surfaces positioned equidistant from oneanother and creating gaps that provide fingertip access to the lid; anda number of locking tabs disposed along a lower edge of each of thearcuate side surfaces to capture the lid. In some embodiments,child-resistant covers further include: a number of tamper-evident sealsdisposed along the gaps. In some embodiments, child-resistant coversfurther include: a lower band disposed along a bottom edge of each ofthe arcuate side surfaces and bridging the arcuate side surfaces. Insome embodiments, child-resistant covers further include: a support ringembedded in the lower band. In some embodiments, child-resistant coversfurther include: an opening formed in the planar surface such that a topof the lid is visible. In some embodiments, child-resistant coversfurther include: a low-friction layer disposed along an inner surface ofthe arcuate surfaces. In some embodiments, the child-resistant cover ismanufactured from a material selected from: a biodegradable polymericmaterial, a polymeric material, a wood material, a plant-based polymericmaterial, and a silicone material. In some embodiments, the planarsurface is domed.

In other embodiments, child-resistant closures are presented including:a lid; and a child-resistant cover coupled with the lid including: aplanar surface; arcuate side surfaces disposed perpendicular to theplanar surface, the arcuate side surfaces positioned equidistant fromone another and creating gaps that provide fingertip access to the lid;and a number of locking tabs disposed along a lower edge of each of thearcuate side surfaces to capture the lid.

In other embodiments, methods of using a child-resistant cover for a lidare presented including: providing the child-resistant cover, thechild-resistant cover including: a planar surface; arcuate side surfacesdisposed perpendicular to the planar surface, the arcuate side surfacespositioned equidistant from one another and creating gaps that providefingertip access to the lid; and a number of locking tabs disposed alonga lower edge of each of the arcuate side surfaces to capture the lid;coupling the child-resistant cover with the lid of a container; graspingthe lid through the gaps; turning the lid and child-resistant cover toopen the container; and removing the lid and child-resistant cover fromthe container. In some embodiments, the child-resistant cover furtherincludes a number of tamper-evident seals disposed along the gaps, andwhere the method further includes removing the tamper-evident sealsbefore the grasping the lid through the gaps. In some embodiments,child-resistant covers further include: placing the lid andchild-resistant cover on the container; grasping the lid through thegaps; and turning the lid and child-resistant cover to close thecontainer.

The features and advantages described in the specification are not allinclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantageswill be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of thedrawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted thatthe language used in the specification has been principally selected forreadability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selectedto delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustrative representation of child-resistant covers inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustrative representation of child-resistant covers inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustrative representation of methods for usingchild-resistant covers in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is an illustrative representation of methods for usingchild-resistant covers in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 5 is an illustrative representation of child-resistant cover inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference toa few embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Itwill be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the presentinvention may be practiced without some or all of these specificdetails. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structureshave not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscurethe present invention.

In still other instances, specific numeric references such as “firstmaterial,” may be made. However, the specific numeric reference shouldnot be interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpretedthat the “first material” is different than a “second material.” Thus,the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specificdetails may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within thespirit and scope of the present disclosure. The term “coupled” isdefined as meaning connected either directly to the component orindirectly to the component through another component. Further, as usedherein, the terms “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” for anynumerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerancethat allows the part or collection of components to function for itsintended purpose as described herein.

FIG. 1 is an illustrative representation of child-resistant covers inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated,child-resistant cover 100 includes planar surface 102. In someembodiments, planar surface may further include a surface treatment orlayer, an instructional label, or raised or embossed instructionswithout limitation. In some embodiments, the planar surface is domed(see FIG. 5). Child-resistant cover 100 further includes arcuate sidesurface 104, which is disposed substantially perpendicular to planarsurface 102. Arcuate side surfaces are further positioned equidistantfrom one another and create gaps 106 to provide fingertip access to alid or cap. In embodiments and as illustrated here, two or more arcuateside surfaces may be utilized without limitation. Furthermore, in someembodiments a low-friction layer may be disposed along an inner surfaceof the arcuate side surface. A low-friction surface is utilized toimpede a user from grasping the arcuate side surface to open a lid.Low-friction surface embodiments may be applied in any manner known inthe art without limitation.

In addition, not illustrated here are a number of locking tabs. Lockingtabs function to secure child-resistant cover embodiments with a lid ofa container. Locking tabs will be discussed in further detail below forFIG. 2. Further illustrated is child-resistant cover 110 havingtamper-evident seal 112 that covers gap 106. Tamper-evident seals areutilized to indicate whether child-resistant covers have been used ormodified. In some examples, tamper-evident seals may be “tear away.”That is, they may be removed by a user to access the gap and thereforethe underlying lid. Any tamper-evident seal known in the art may beutilized without limitation. Furthermore, in embodiments,child-resistant covers may be manufactured from a variety of materialsincluding without limitation: a biodegradable polymeric material, apolymeric material, a wood material, a plant-based polymeric material,and a silicone material.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative representation of child-resistant covers inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated,child-resistant cover 200 includes planar surface 202. In someembodiments, planar surface may further include a surface treatment orlayer, an instructional label, or raised or embossed instructions. Insome embodiments, the planar surface is domed (see FIG. 5).Child-resistant cover 200 further includes arcuate side surface 204,which is disposed substantially perpendicular to planar surface 202.Arcuate side surfaces are further positioned equidistant from oneanother and create gaps 206 to provide fingertip access to a lid or cap.In embodiments and as illustrated here, three arcuate side surfaces areutilized. Furthermore, in some embodiments a low-friction layer may bedisposed along an inner surface of the arcuate side surface. Alow-friction surface is utilized to impede a user from grasping thearcuate side surface to open a lid. Low-friction surface embodiments maybe applied in any manner known in the art without limitation.Child-resistant cover 200 further includes lower band 208 disposed alonga bottom edge of each of the arcuate side surfaces. Lower bands areuseful to bridge the arcuate side surfaces and provide additionalstrength and support for child-resistant cover embodiments. In someembodiments, a support ring may be embedded in the lower band foradditional strength and support. Although not specifically illustrated,an embedded support structure is well-known in the art and one skilledin the art will readily recognize its structure and manufacture.

Further illustrated is child-resistant cover 210 having opening 212formed in the planar surface. In embodiments, an opening allows the lidto be visible. It may be appreciated that a lid may contain identifyingindicia that may readily inform a user as to the container's content.Child-resistant cover 210 further includes locking tab 214. Locking tabsfunction to secure child-resistant cover embodiments with a lid of acontainer. Locking tab 214 is additionally shown in cross section 230for clarity in understanding embodiments disclosed herein.

Further illustrated is child-resistant cover 220 having tamper-evidentseal 222 that covers gap 206. Tamper-evident seals are utilized toindicate whether child-resistant covers have been used or modified. Insome examples, tamper-evident seals may be “tear away.” That is, theymay be removed by a user to access the gap and therefore the underlyinglid. Any tamper-evident seal known in the art may be utilized withoutlimitation. Furthermore, in embodiments, child-resistant covers may bemanufactured from a variety of materials including without limitation: abiodegradable polymeric material, a polymeric material, a wood material,a plant-based polymeric material, and a silicone material.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative representation of methods for usingchild-resistant covers in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. At a first step 300, child-resistant cover 302 is providedfor container 306 having lid 304. At a next step 310, child-resistantcover 302 is coupled with lid 304. At a next step 320, child-resistantclosure 308 (which includes child-resistant cover and lid) is removedfrom the container. Referring to FIG. 4, which is an illustrativerepresentation of methods for using child-resistant covers in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention, it may be seen that thechild-resistant closure may be rotated counter-clockwise 400 andclockwise 410 by grasping the lid 402 through gaps 404.

FIG. 5 is an illustrative representation of child-resistant cover 500 inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. In particular,child-resistant cover 500 includes dome surface 502, which may be formedover planar surface or replace planar surface in embodiments.

The terms “certain embodiments”, “an embodiment”, “embodiment”,“embodiments”, “the embodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or moreembodiments”, “some embodiments”, and “one embodiment” mean one or more(but not all) embodiments unless expressly specified otherwise. Theterms “including”, “comprising”, “having” and variations thereof mean“including but not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise.The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of theitems are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. Theterms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specifiedotherwise.

While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments,there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall withinthe scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are manyalternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of thepresent invention. Furthermore, unless explicitly stated, any methodembodiments described herein are not constrained to a particular orderor sequence. Further, the Abstract is provided herein for convenienceand should not be employed to construe or limit the overall invention,which is expressed in the claims. It is therefore intended that thefollowing appended claims be interpreted as including all suchalterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the truespirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A child-resistant cover for a lid comprising: aplanar surface; at least two arcuate side surfaces disposedperpendicular to the planar surface, the at least two arcuate sidesurfaces positioned equidistant from one another and creating at leasttwo gaps that provide fingertip access to the lid; and a plurality oflocking tabs disposed along a lower edge of each of the at least twoarcuate side surfaces to capture the lid.
 2. The child-resistant coverof claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of tamper-evident sealsdisposed along the at least two gaps.
 3. The child-resistant cover ofclaim 1, further comprising: a lower band disposed along a bottom edgeof each of the at least two arcuate side surfaces and bridging the atleast two arcuate side surfaces.
 4. The child-resistant cover of claim3, further comprising: a support ring embedded in the lower band.
 5. Thechild-resistant cover of claim 3, further comprising: an opening formedin the planar surface such that a top of the lid is visible.
 6. Thechild-resistant cover of claim 1, further comprising: a low-frictionlayer disposed along an inner surface of the at least two arcuatesurfaces.
 7. The child-resistant cover of claim 1, wherein thechild-resistant cover is manufactured from a material selected from: abiodegradable polymeric material, a polymeric material, a wood material,a plant-based polymeric material, and a silicone material.
 8. Thechild-resistant cover of claim 1, wherein the planar surface is domed.9. A child-resistant closure comprising: a lid; and a child-resistantcover coupled with the lid comprising: a planar surface; at least twoarcuate side surfaces disposed perpendicular to the planar surface, theat least two arcuate side surfaces positioned equidistant from oneanother and creating at least two gaps that provide fingertip access tothe lid; and a plurality of locking tabs disposed along a lower edge ofeach of the at least two arcuate side surfaces to capture the lid. 10.The child-resistant closure of claim 9, further comprising: a pluralityof tamper-evident seals disposed along the at least two gaps.
 11. Thechild-resistant closure of claim 9, further comprising: a lower banddisposed along a bottom edge of each of the at least two arcuate sidesurfaces and bridging the at least two arcuate side surfaces.
 12. Amethod of using a child-resistant cover for a lid comprising: providingthe child-resistant cover, the child-resistant cover comprising: aplanar surface; at least two arcuate side surfaces disposedperpendicular to the planar surface, the at least two arcuate sidesurfaces positioned equidistant from one another and creating at leasttwo gaps that provide fingertip access to the lid; and a plurality oflocking tabs disposed along a lower edge of each of the at least twoarcuate side surfaces to capture the lid; coupling the child-resistantcover with the lid of a container; grasping the lid through the at leasttwo gaps; turning the lid and child-resistant cover to open thecontainer; and removing the lid and child-resistant cover from thecontainer.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the child-resistant coverfurther comprises a plurality of tamper-evident seals disposed along theat least two gaps, and wherein the method further comprises removing thetamper-evident seals before the grasping the lid through the at leasttwo gaps.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: placing thelid and child-resistant cover on the container; grasping the lid throughthe at least two gaps; and turning the lid and child-resistant cover toclose the container.